Best Startup Espresso Podcasts (2025)

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Startup Funding Espresso – The Four Phases of a Pitch 2:02

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5h ago2:02

2:02

The Four Phases of a Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The successful startup pitch goes through four phases. Start by capturing their imagination. This could be a bold statement, such as we can solve cancer within ten years. This sets the context for the probl…

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Investor Connect 834: Democratizing Institutional Strategies with Ram Kolluri of Expo-Wealth 23:41

5h ago23:41

23:41

In this episode of Investor Connect, we sit down with Ram Kolluri, Founder and Chief Investment Strategist at Expo-Wealth based in Austin, Texas. Ram shares his insights on navigating today’s wealth management landscape and how he's helping high-net-worth individuals access institutional-grade strategies. We talk about balancing traditional portfol…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Researching Investors for Your Fundraise 2:07

2h ago2:07

2:07

Researching Investors for Your Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Before launching your fundraiser campaign, make sure to research your investor prospects. Start with those who invest in your startup stage and sector. It’s pointless to reach out to investors…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Fundraising Tips 2:06

18h ago2:06

2:06

Fundraising Tips Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Most founders are raising funding for the first time. They often miss the nuances that come from experience. For the second go-around, founders are often much smarter about the process. Here are some fundraising tips…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Conversion of a Convertible Note 1:55

10h ago1:55

1:55

Conversion of a Convertible Note Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There are three ways a Convertible Note converts to equity. The note matures and converts to equity on the maturity date. The startup raises a follow-on funding round in equity that counts as qualifie…

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Startup Funding Espresso – How a VC Fund May Shut Down Early 2:01

1d ago2:01

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How a VC Fund May Shut Down Early Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture Capital funds typically run on ten-year cycles. There are some conditions in which the VC fund may shut down early. Here’s a list of reasons: Key persons -- the Limited Partners invested in a…

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Investor Connect 833: Family Office Roundtable - April 2025 Part 02 11:22

4d ago11:22

11:22

, and to explore funding opportunities with 10 Capital, visit . Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our …

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Startup Funding Espresso – Lifecycle of the VC Fund 2:11

4d ago2:11

2:11

Lifecycle of the VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture Capital funds typically run on ten-year cycles. At a high level, the VC fund takes in capital from the Limited Partners and deploys the first half of the funds in years 1 to 3. The follow-on rounds ar…

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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Answer “What’s Your Timeline?” 2:04

5d ago2:04

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How To Answer “What’s Your Timeline?” Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors often ask startups raising funding, “What’s your timeline?” They want to know if the process is so far along that it’s too late for them to join. They have limited resources and can’t a…

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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Optimize for Efficiency 2:01

6d ago2:01

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How To Optimize for Efficiency Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup fundraising, capital efficiency is a key criteria for investors. They look to see how efficiently the startup uses capital. This most often shows up in revenue per employee, cash burn rates, …

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Startup Funding Espresso – Choosing an AI Model for Your Startup 2:08

9d ago2:08

2:08

Choosing an AI Model for Your Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is becoming a standard part of every startup's business. It can be used to improve the startup's operations. And it can also be used to enhance the startup’s produ…

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Startup Funding Espresso – The Burn Multiple 1:57

8d ago1:57

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The Burn Multiple Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The burn rate is a key metric for high-growth startups. This is the amount of cash being spent over and above the cash revenue taken in. The Burn Multiple is the amount of cash being burned divided by the net revenu…

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Startup Funding Espresso – The Benefit of Investing in Tranches 1:57

11d ago1:57

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The Benefit of Investing in Tranches Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Tranching the investment means breaking it down into tranches or rounds. Tranche comes from the French word meaning slice. Investors find it advantageous to break their investment into rounds. In …

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Investor Connect 832: Family Office Roundtable - April 2025 Part 01 21:01

11d ago21:01

21:01

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Lance Tkach, Co-Founder of Printed Technologies. Located in Dallas, Texas, Printed Technologies is leading the charge to revolutionize the home construction industry through the integration of automation, AI, and large-scale 3D printing. With the U.S. facing a shortage of over 7 million affordable …

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Startup Funding Espresso – Aviate, Navigate, Communicate 1:59

12d ago1:59

1:59

Aviate, Navigate, Communicate Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In flying an aircraft, there’s a saying regarding priorities: “Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.” First, fly the plane. Second, navigate to where you want to go. Third, communicate with others. This priorit…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Sell Your Business Instead of Shutting It Down 2:06

13d ago2:06

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Sell Your Business Instead of Shutting It Down Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Many startups fail to achieve product-market fit or breakout growth. Founders who decide to move on most often shut down the business. Instead of shutting it down, consider selling your …

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Startup Funding Espresso – State the Purpose Behind the Startup 2:03

14d ago2:03

2:03

State the Purpose Behind the Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In pitching, start with the Why of the business. Why does this business exist? It’s important to state up front the purpose. This is different from the problem to be solved. The purpose is similar…

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Startup Funding Espresso – The Downside of SAFE Notes 2:01

15d ago2:01

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The Downside of SAFE Notes Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. SAFE Notes were designed to simplify the investment process. By removing many of the terms found in equity agreements, SAFE Notes reduce the complexity of startup fundraising. SAFE notes are similar to a wa…

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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Raise a First-Time VC Fund 2:06

18d ago2:06

2:06

How To Raise a First-Time VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Raising a first-time venture capital fund is hard work. Here are some key steps in raising a VC fund for the first time. Build a track record of successful investing by joining an angel network and m…

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Investor Connect 831: Family Office Roundtable - March 2025 Part 04 17:27

18d ago17:27

17:27

In this episode of Investor Connect, we engage with Nathan Monty, co-founder and CEO of Enamel Pure, a company pioneering advancements in dental hygiene through novel laser technology. Nathan walks us through the development of their innovative product, 'Loon,' which uses a laser for non-contact teeth cleaning, hardening, and whitening, paired with…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Fundraising Hones the Founder's Skills 2:00

19d ago2:00

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Fundraising Hones the Founder's Skills Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising brings not only capital to the startup, but it also hones the founder’s skills. Here are the skills the founder will improve: Relationship building -- the founder learns how to build…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Negotiating the Valuation 2:08

20d ago2:08

2:08

Negotiating the Valuation Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Negotiating the valuation is a key step in the fundraising process. Here are some helpful strategies to consider in negotiating the valuation: Understand the comparable valuations in your space. These are ca…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Put the Why Before the How 2:01

21d ago2:01

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Put the Why Before the How Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In pitching, it’s important to start with the why before diving into the how. The founder often dives straight into how things are going to work. In a biotech startup, the founder will jump to how their the…

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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Build a Relationship With a VC 2:01

22d ago2:01

2:01

How To Build a Relationship With a VC Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, it’s important to make contact and build a relationship with a venture capitalist. Here are some key steps in building that relationship before you need to raise funding: Make…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Use Angels for the Initial Fundraise 2:07

25d ago2:07

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Use Angels for the Initial Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In the earliest stages of the fundraise, angels are often a better fit than venture capitalists. VCs come into the round when there’s strong traction and the business is well-formed. Angels are go…

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Investor Connect 830: Family Office Roundtable - March 2025 Part 03 17:11

25d ago17:11

17:11

In this episode of Investor Connect, we welcome Ken from Synaptically, who introduces a groundbreaking personalized therapy for Alzheimer's disease. He discusses their innovative use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) paired with Electroencephalograms (EEG) to achieve unprecedented results in slowing down disease progression. With two succe…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Key Series A Metrics 2:08

26d ago2:08

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Key Series A Metrics Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Series A fundraises focus on growth. The goal of the fundraising pitch is not to show that you can sell the product to someone, but rather that you can grow the business. Here are some key metrics to evaluate the…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Uncapped SAFE Notes 2:03

27d ago2:03

2:03

Uncapped SAFE Notes Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. SAFE notes are commonly used in startup fundraises. They most often come with a valuation cap. This means the valuation will not rise above that cap no matter what the priced round that follows. For an investor, a…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Fundraising Requires a Process 2:05

28d ago2:05

2:05

Fundraising Requires a Process Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising is a complex problem that requires ongoing focus and effort over a period of time. It is not just one check or milestone but rather many. Fundraising requires a process Here are some key ste…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Investor Introductions – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly 1:55

1M ago1:55

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Investor Introductions – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investor introductions can be helpful in connecting with new investors. Here is an example of a good introduction: I notice this investor funded a company with the same busines…

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Investor Connect 829: Family Office Roundtable - March 2025 Part 02 26:31

1M ago26:31

26:31

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin welcomes Brian to discuss emerging opportunities in deep tech spaces. Brian emphasizes life sciences and healthcare technologies, highlighting investments needed to innovate and control costs. He points out the inefficiencies in the current healthcare system and the potential for AI-driven remote …

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Startup Funding Espresso – Showing Traction at the Seed Level 1:59

1M ago1:59

1:59

Showing Traction at the Seed Level Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. At the seed stage, the product is just going into the market. The customer engagement is beginning. Here are some steps to show traction at the seed level: Show signs of repeatability. This can come…

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Startup Funding Espresso – The MicroVC Pitchdeck 2:08

1M ago2:08

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The MicroVC Pitchdeck Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. MicroVCs need to raise funding to invest in startups, just as startups need to raise funding for their own business. For MicroVCs raising funding, consider these points in building the pitch deck: Call out two t…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Investor Access to Customers 2:09

1M ago2:09

2:09

Investor Access to Customers Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In the diligence process, investors may want to talk with the startups' customers. Their goal is to determine how well the product works and how committed they are to the startup's solution. This can be a…

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Startup Funding Espresso – The CEO Leads the Fundraise 2:05

1M ago2:05

2:05

The CEO Leads the Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In a fundraiser, the CEO should lead it by setting the strategy and engaging investors. This doesn’t mean the CEO must do everything by themselves. It does mean that the CEO does the pitching and investor …

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Startup Funding Espresso – Non-Dilutive Funding Options 2:12

1M ago2:12

2:12

Non-Dilutive Funding Options Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup funding comes in two forms: dilutive and non-dilutive. Equity funding is dilutive in that the fundraising reduces the ownership of the founders. Debt is non-dilutive in that the fundraise doesn’t …

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Investor Connect 828: Family Office Roundtable - March 2025 Part 01 37:43

1M ago37:43

37:43

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin, CEO of 10 Capital, introduces co-host Kat DeLillo and special guest Brian Wood of Wave Ventures. Brian delves into the innovative approach of Wave Ventures in partnering with universities to commercialize intellectual property. He shares the backstory of Wave Ventures' collaboration with Baylor U…

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Startup Funding Espresso – When To Consider Venture Debt 2:01

1M ago2:01

2:01

When To Consider Venture Debt Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup funding, there is venture capital and venture debt. Venture capital takes an equity stake in a startup in return for funding. Venture debt makes a loan to the startup for that funding. Both ha…

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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Stand Out From the Crowd 2:08

1M ago2:08

2:08

How To Stand Out From the Crowd Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, it helps to stand out from the crowd of other startups pitching. Most founders will give the standard pitch, often with slides in the same order. Here are some key pointers to make …

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Startup Funding Espresso – Show the Business Model Unit Economics 2:01

1M ago2:01

2:01

Show the Business Model Unit Economics Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Early-stage companies pitching investors often have little revenue traction. In place of traction, show how the business model performs on the unit economic level. Calculate the cost of acquirin…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Raising Funding in a Down Market 2:02

2M ago2:02

2:02

Raising Funding in a Down Market Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The best time to start a new business is during a down market. Labor is plentiful. The competition is on their heels. Yet, customers are still looking for a solution to their problem. In a down market…

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Startup Funding Espresso – What Angels Look For 2:13

2M ago2:13

2:13

What Angels Look For Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Angel investors are not professional investors in the same way as venture capitalists. Angel investors are typically successful business people who want to invest in startups. The old angel saying is, they want t…

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Investor Connect 827: Family Office Roundtable Part 04 23:44

2M ago23:44

23:44

In this episode of Investor Connect, we welcome Alan Foreman, the CEO of Be Secure, who discusses the transformative journey of his company in the realm of heart health. Alan shares that he founded Be Secure nine years ago after a lengthy career in Accenture's Life Sciences division. Currently, the company is on a $12 million growth raise to commer…

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Startup Funding Espresso – First Meeting With an Investor 1:59

2M ago1:59

1:59

First Meeting With an Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. After a number of calls with a prospective investor, there comes the first meeting in person. Here are some key steps in running that meeting: Introduce yourself and your team. Show the market you are p…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Early Stage Traction 2:03

2M ago2:03

2:03

Early Stage Traction Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In the very early stage of the life of a company, traction can be more than just revenue growth Here are some key traction points to look for. The founder has an idea. The founder has an idea and a pitch deck. Th…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Why Now? 1:51

2M ago1:51

1:51

Why Now? Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, it’s important to instill a sense of urgency in the fundraiser. One of the key elements is describing why now is the right time for this fundraiser. Follow these steps to show how everything is aligned fo…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Build Your Presence With a VC Fund 2:04

2M ago2:04

2:04

Build Your Presence With a VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding from a VC fund, it’s important to understand the partner team. Each VC fund has a number of senior partners, junior partners, and others such as analysts and scouts. One of the pa…

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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Say No to a Startup 1:55

2M ago1:55

1:55

How To Say No to a Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors receive pitches from startups almost every day. Many of these startups simply don’t match the investment thesis of the investor. Here’s how to say no to a startup. Respond with the same level of e…

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Startup Funding Espresso – Don’t Play the Scenario Game in the Pitch 1:56

2M ago1:56

1:56

Don’t Play the Scenario Game in the Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Founders are confronted with many options for their fundraising. If they raise more, they can achieve more milestones. If they raise less, they can achieve fewer milestones. Some founders pla…

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Investor Connect 826: Family Office Roundtable Part 03 27:29

2M ago27:29

27:29

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin talks with Mike Sloan, CEO and founder of Simple Labs, about their groundbreaking product, Cogni. Mike shares insights from his background in both bourbon and wine country, emphasizing the industry's challenges such as significant losses from evaporation and spoilage. Cogni offers a comprehensive …